Maersk Alabama Crew Repels Suspected Pirate Attack

American Forces Press Service ^ | Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer, USN

[SandRat]

MANAMA, Bahrain, Nov. 18, 2009 – The U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama’s security team repelled an attack from suspected pirates this morning 560 nautical miles off the northeastern coast of Somalia, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials reported.

Four suspected pirates in a skiff came within 300 yards of the Maersk Alabama and used small-arms weapons in an attempt to board the ship.

The ship’s security team responded with evasive maneuvers, long-range acoustic devices and small-arms fire, causing the suspected pirates to break off their attack. The acoustic devices emit a high-pitched sound that can be painful to human ears.

"Due to Maersk Alabama following maritime industry's best [anti-piracy] practices such as embarking security teams, the ship was able to prevent being successfully attacked by pirates," said Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. "This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked, and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they're in high-risk areas."

No injuries or damage were reported aboard the ship, which is proceeding to its destination of Mombasa, Kenya.

Suspected Somali pirates briefly seized the Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia on April 8 and held the ship's skipper, Capt. Richard Phillips, hostage for five days on a skiff. U.S. naval forces rescued Phillips on April 12, killing three suspected pirates and taking one into custody.

(Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Schaeffer serves with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.)

[RepublicanMeansAmerican]

You mean Obama didn’t take out the pirate crew after a SF style high-altitude para-drop from Air Force 1 while crossing that air space?

[Rumplemeyer]

I have a solution, the next time capture/kill the pirates, tie them together, throw them over the stern (keep end of rope they are tied to) and start trawling for sharks, return remaining pieces to pirate headquarters, repeat as necessary.

[kdot]

Maybe the next time the criminals will show up with a set of noise cancelling Bose headphone. I have a better idea. Shoot them and they’ won’t return for a third time. That performs a service for the other ships as well.

[MrPiper]

The ship’s security team responded with evasive maneuvers, long-range acoustic devices and small-arms fire

I'm SURE, the return fire from the m16's had NOTHING to do with repelling the human garbage!

Shooting at unarmed vessels is easy,,, when you receive return fire,,, hmmmmmmmm.... DUH!!!not so easy....

These idiot PC shipping owners make me crazy!

These "pirates" could so easily be removed from existence with a simple cheap Ma Duce!(twin 50cals)